A terrific performance from the team allowed us to hold Queens Cross to a draw today.

Richard asked Alan to captain as it was probable he would have to leave early. Alan won the toss and asked QX to bat. The weather held off and QX batted for their alloted 45 overs making a score of 169 for 5.

Some excellent batting from Portcullis followed using up the remaining 45 overs, not able to reach the target but enough to take what turned out to be a rather easy draw and deny Queens Cross the chance togo ahead of us in the grade.

After all the upheaval this week, this was a good showing by Portcullis who fielded only 9 men - the first time we've been under strength since 2003. A determined team performance in a high scoring game gave us 17 points, enough to keep us top of the grade despite suffering our first loss of the season.

Portcullis's early successes in the grade and the cup look unlikely to continue with the stunning news that Chetan, Rahul and Sony - our top three players so far this season - have all simultaneously decided to leave the club and join Gordonians.

This means that not only will we find it hard to continue to win games but actually means that, for the first time in 6 years, we are unlikely to be able to field a full team for the remainder of the season. In fact, unless we find some more players we face the very real prospect of having to scratch games later this year.

We took on Stonewood-Dyce in the first round of the Jonton Cup last Saturday after three straight wins in the grade matches. Stoneywood won the toss and decided to field.

Our openers Krish and Sony batted well on a soft wicket and put on 56 before Krish was caught in the gully. Rahul and Cox was dismissed cheaply before Chetan who scored 16 was bowled. Sony eventually went being stumped for 55. TK had a short spell scoring 16 with 2 fours and a six.

Jon Van Heerden is teaming up with Muir MacKenzie to take part in this years Mongol Rally, which will see them driving from Aberdeen all the way to Mongolia, recording their adventures and experiences of people, culture and scenery along the way. Most importantly, by taking part in this journey they will be contributing and hoping to raise as much money and awareness for their two chosen charitable causes, namely MercyCorps and Cash for Kids.

Portcullis will be starting the season in the traditional way, by gathering at the plastic wicket on Duthie Park for a practice session at 6pm on Wednesday 1st April. Chetan and Sony are going to be organising the practice sessions this year and plan to make them rather more structured than they have been in the past, so we'll no longer be aiming rank long hops at bewildered batsmen and then trudging disconsolately after the ball as it bobbles down towards the fine leg boundary.